13 Healthy Recipes for Football Season

Healthy Swaps for Game Day Favorites

Whether you’re cheering on your team from the comfort of your couch or screaming from the stands, chances are it just doesn’t feel like football season without chicken wings, nachos, and burgers. Sure, these fatty favorites might taste good in the heat of the moment, but they put you at risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and weight gain. Plus, mindless munching on high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium foods (often with beer!) while you watch the game can leave you feeling bloated.

The bottom line? Remember that a big win isn’t an excuse to turn a post-game binge into a beer belly that will stick with you year-round.

From wings to chips to burgers, try these rehabbed versions of all your football favorites, so even if your team wins, you can still lose (pounds)!

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Snack Mix

A healthy nut and seed mix, like this Bowl Game Snack Mix with air-popped popcorn, unsalted peanuts, and toasted pumpkin seeds, can satisfy your cravings for crunch without the high sodium and empty calories of pretzels or caramel corn. Coating the mix with taco seasoning gives you a zesty snack that’s light on calories and fat.

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Nacho Pizza

Nachos and pizza on a diet? It's possible, if you know how to make it! Just stay away from fatty meat as your pizza topping, and load up on fresh veggies instead. Jalapeños and Monterey Jack cheese give this Black Bean Nacho Pizza its kick.

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Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potatoes are full of potassium and magnesium, which can help lower blood pressure. Plus, they’re bursting with fiber. Skip the deep fryer and put your oven to work. Simply toss slices of fresh sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and a pinch of sugar, like in this Baked Sweet Potato 'Fries' recipe, for a satisfying treat.

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Chicken Wings

It’s not football without wings! For a tasty appetizer, replace breading with a mouthwatering and tangy glaze to cut down on calories. Ginger, red pepper, and scallions infuse these Glazed Chicken Wings with so much flavor that you won’t miss the grease come halftime.

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Cheese Dip

What are wings without dip? Substitute the chunky stuff and add flavor, not fat, with this Spicy Blue Cheese Dip. White vinegar and cayenne pepper add zip for only 67 calories in each 2-tablespoon serving. For a lighter side, pair with chopped cauliflower and broccoli, or carrot and celery sticks.

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Onion Rings

These Oven-Fried Onion Rings have the breadcrumbs you love, but they’re baked — not fried — which cuts out almost all of the fat. One serving, which is about a quarter of a whole large onion, is only 93 calories.

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Braised Pork

If you’re throwing a party, this Chile-and-Beer-Braised Pork is sure to be a hit. Green chiles, cumin, and fire-roasted tomatoes give the sauce an extra kick — just be sure to thoroughly rinse the canned pinto beans to wash away any excess sodium.

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Potato Salad

A lighter version of the classic American dish, this Quarterback Potato Salad is the perfect side dish. Using red potatoes instead of russets adds color, while swapping cheddar for a lower-fat cheese, such as grated Parmesan, cuts out extra calories.

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Chips and Dip

Homemade pita chips (bonus points if you use whole-wheat pita) are better than the store-bought version because you get to control how much oil and salt you use. These Pita Chips With Red-Pepper Dip are made with red peppers, tomato paste, and seasoning, making it only 74 calories per serving.

Eating Well

Patty Melts

Extra-lean ground beef, slices of rye bread instead of a bun, and Swiss cheese really slash the calories from the traditional patty melt. One serving of this Portobello and Beef Patty Melt contains 25 grams of protein and only 299 calories — not bad for a burger!

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Turkey Burgers

If you’re not a red-meat eater, make your burger with ground turkey instead. This Apple Turkey Burger recipe includes chopped Granny Smith apples and cranberry sauce for a tart crunch in every bite. Serve on a small whole-wheat bun and top with fresh lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices.

Parmesan Chips

Store-bought wonton wrappers make up the base of these homemade Crispy Parmesan Chips. To make, swap in a heart-healthy oil like olive oil, and add flavor with basil and garlic, instead of salt, to cut back on sodium without sacrificing flavor. It's an easy alternative to greasy potato chips.

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